Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 worth the upgrade from the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Sony WH-1000XM4 actually scores 18.5 points below the Sony WH-1000XM6, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on value (8.2 to 4.2) and calls (9.6 to 6.1). On paper: full charge time 210 min to 180 min and driver size 30 mm to 40 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 40 h to 38 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC to SBC, AAC, LDAC. It is at least $83 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.08.0
- Noise cancelling9.68.2
- Battery8.18.5
- Calls9.66.1
- Value8.24.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | WH-1000XM6 | WH-1000XM4 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 40 h | 38 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Full charge time | 210 min | 180 min | |
| Driver size | 30 mm | 40 mm | |
| Microphones | 12 | 2 | |
| Quick charge | 3 min → 3 h | 10 min → 5 h | |
| Controls | buttons | touch | |
| Driver | 30 mm dynamic | 40 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "WH-1000XM6 to WH-1000XM4". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.